US port strike threatens Danish exports

A strike at US East Coast ports may affect Danish export businesses, warns Peter Bay Kirkegaard from Dansk Industri. The dispute could disrupt Danish companies’ ability to ship goods to the US, influencing exports and imports. Shipping reroutes due to the strike could lead to higher freight rates, possibly benefiting firms like A.P. Møller-Mærsk but also resulting in costlier imports for consumers. An influx of cheaper Chinese goods could increase competition for Danish producers. Particularly vulnerable are Danish food companies like Danish Crown and Royal Greenland, which need to find alternative ports quickly. The strike encompasses over 45,000 workers across 14 ports, a significant chunk of US import operations, with disagreements over wages and automation. Notably, the US is Denmark’s prime export market, but Danish goods manufactured in the US are not affected by the strike.